Running a Livery Yard: Do’s and Don’ts from a Legal Perspective
Do make it clear to owners/keepers that you are legally obliged to act on any welfare concerns if they are not taking appropriate steps to address them. As a livery yard proprietor, a horse spends more time with you than with anyone else, and you can be the subject of a prosecution in relation to…
Recent Cases in Animal Welfare
Two recent cases have brought attention to the law on animal welfare. As is so often the case, the facts may be somewhat novel but the underlying points are of broader interest. An unusual case A woman from Birmingham was sentenced on 23 January after being found guilty of four animal welfare offences. Louise Lawford…
When Is A Dog Deemed Dangerous?
Dangerous Dogs In Recent Media Very sadly, recent media reports have detailed a shocking case in which a woman from Widnes died having been attacked by two dogs. Those keeping dogs may not feel that they need to pay attention to the law in this area, but an awareness of it can go hand in…
Get With The Programme: TV Licensing
The Prime Minister has mused recently about whether or not to scrap the TV Licence. Though it may be a gripe paying for a licence, what does the law actually provide for if you don’t? Amber Walker, a Solicitor in our Regulatory Law team, takes a closer look. Action is taken against some 180,000 people…
Fools’ Gold: Treasure Hunters Convicted After Trial
In a recent article, Regulatory Solicitor Amber Walker looked at a somewhat obscure but interesting area of the law: how it applies to treasure, and the finding of it. A current case has highlighted the area once again, offering a stark example of the worst-case scenario. In June 2015, George Powell and Layton Davies uncovered…
Successful Result in Fatal Driving Prosecution
Ian Anderson spent the week defending a man charged with causing death by dangerous driving at York Crown Court. Following a four day trial the jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty. It was an excellent result in a particularly difficult and tragic case involving two close friends who were involved in a motorbike…
Dangerous Dogs: A Reminder of the Law
Dangerous Dogs: A Reminder of the Law Very sadly, recent media reports have detailed a shocking case in which a woman from Widnes died having been attacked by two dogs. Those keeping dogs may not feel that they need to pay attention to the law in this area, but an awareness of it can go…
Finders Keepers? What Happens When Treasure Is Found
It isn’t often that you see reports of a treasure find, and even rarer that you get more than one in a relatively short space of time. In the latest case, the Church of Scotland is bringing proceedings in relation to a hoard found on its land in 2014. Unlike in the rest of the…
Road Transport Operator Regulations and Public Enquiries
Key in this area is The Road Transport Operator Regulations 2011. These impose stringent requirements upon business in the sector, and understanding how they work is vital. Failure to adhere to the Regulations can place licences in jeopardy. The Regulations, which gave effect to EU legislation passed in 2009, create obligations both for the company…
In Hot Water: Sentencing Companies for Health and Safety offences
The science of sentencing in health and safety cases involving companies came under the microscope recently at the Court of Appeal. Thames Water had been fined in the sum of £2,000,000 following a case at Reading Crown Court in which it had pleaded guilty to an offence relating to the discharge of untreated sewage (an…